COUNCIL AGENDA: 12/2/2025
FILE: 25-1269
ITEM: 2.7
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: Toni J. Taber, MMC
AND CITY COUNCIL City Clerk
SUBJECT: BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS DATE: November 18, 2025
APPOINTMENTS
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the following Boards and Commissions appointments:
(a) Airport Commission
(1) Citywide Seat: Appoint Julian Lake for a term ending June 30, 2029 (2) District 9 Seat: Appoint Mitchell Ehrlich for a term ending June 30, 2029 (b) Arts Commission
(1) District 2 Seat: Appoint Minerva Sarellano for a term ending June 30, 2026 (c) Climate Advisory Commission
(1) Community Representative Seat: Appoint Christine Nguyen Vaeth for a term ending December 31, 2027
(2) Community Representative Seat: Appoint Eric Michaud for a term of January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2029
(3) Climate Science Expertise Seat: Appoint Glen Garfunkel for a term of January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2029
(4) Climate Science Expertise Seat: Appoint Macwin Savio Dsouza for a term of January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2029
(5) Power Planning Expertise Seat: Appoint Victor Niemeyer for a term of January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2029
(6) Community-Based Organization Seat: Appoint Karen Nelson for a term of January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2029
(d) Historic Landmarks Commission
(1) Citywide Seat: Appoint Jimi Kogura for a term ending June 30, 2026 (e) Housing and Community Development Commission
(1) District 3 Seat: Appoint Marika Buchholz for a term ending June 30, 2029 (2) District 4 Seat: Appoint Thoa Hoang for a term ending June 30, 2027 (3) District 6 Seat: Appoint Jennifer Cretella for a term ending June 30, 2027 (4) District 8 Seat: Appoint Oscar Quiroz-Medrano for a term ending June 30, 2027 (f) Library and Education Commission
(1) District 3 Seat: Appoint Karina Solano for a term ending June 30, 2029 (2) District 10 Seat: Appoint Sharon Holt for a term ending June 30, 2027
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
December 2, 2025
Subject: Boards and Commissions Appointments
(g) Measure T Community Oversight Committee
(1) District 8 Seat: Appoint Sheikh Nayeem for a term beginning on the date of appointment
(h) Parks and Recreation Commission
(1) District 3 Seat: Appoint Robert Gonzalez for a term ending June 30, 2029 (i) Planning Commission
(1) District 3 Seat: Appoint Aimee Escobar for a term ending June 30, 2028
OUTCOME
Appointment to the vacant seats on each of the Commissions will allow the commission to continue conducting business.
BACKGROUND
Section 2.08.180 of the San José Municipal Code (SJMC) indicates that each Councilmember, including the Mayor, shall nominate one Commissioner to each Council-Nominated Commission. Section 2.08.2220.C of the San José Municipal Code (SJMC) indicates that if the Council Appointment Advisory Commission is unable to meet, persons to those commission seats that have special eligibility requirements may be appointed upon the Mayor's nomination to the City Council and the City Council's approval of such nomination. Section 2.08.2640 of the San José Municipal Code (SJMC) indicates that if the Council Appointment Advisory Commission is unable to meet, Historic Landmarks Commission members shall be appointed to the commission upon the Mayor's nomination, without recommendation from the Council Appointment Advisory Commission, and the City Council's approval of such nomination.
ANALYSIS
The applications of all nominated candidates are attached. Memoranda from the Office of the City Attorney regarding conflicts of interest of the candidates nominated for quasi- judicial boards and commissions are also included. The applicants of quasi-judicial boards and commissions were also reviewed by Planning Building and Code Enforcement with no issues found. A supplemental memorandum will be posted should additional names be submitted for vacancy nominations.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
A duty of the Office of the City Clerk is to minimize vacancies on the Boards and Commissions. The Office of the City Clerk and City Council Offices are still recruiting for additional vacancies.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
December 2, 2025
Subject: Boards and Commissions Appointments
PUBLIC OUTREACH
The Office of the City Clerk noticed vacancies on the City Clerk’s Boards and Commissions webpage.
The memorandum has been posted on the City Clerk’s website as part of the December 2, 2025 City Council Meeting Agenda.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the Office of the City Attorney.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-010, City Administrative Activities, resulting in no changes to the physical environment.
TONI J. TABER, MMC
City Clerk
For questions, please contact Toni Taber, City Clerk, at (408) 535-1260.